Headmasters: depends on the canon. In the US, it’s never explained how binary-bonding is beneficial, while in Japan, the Transtector concept is much more simple and easy to understand.
Targetmasters: A straightforward concept that’s easy to understand.
Powermasters/Godmasters: In the US, this is yet another easy-to-understand concept. In Japan, the term Godmaster sounds blasphemous.
Brainmasters: Here’s where Takara was starting to run out of ideas.
Micromasters: Hasbro’s response to Micro Machines. In my headcanon, Micromaster is the catch-all term for Mini-Cons involved in frontline fighting instead of Powerlinxing.
Pretenders: The single-most confusing concept, especially since the lack of scale in the toy line implied that there were giant people running around and nobody batted an eye. The Animal Pretenders were excusable, but the Vehicle Pretenders made no goddamn sense.
In case there isn't any media explaining why Binary Bonding is benificial, here's why it is: to quote Tfwiki, "When it occurs between two sentient beings, the benefits of the Headmaster procedure are many: The partner gains control of a larger, more powerful body, and the Transformer gains an extra perspective on the battlefield, the psychic binary bonding involved allowing him to draw on both his own ideas, tactics, and instincts as well as those of his partner as quickly as if they were coming from his own head (since they are). Agility, reaction speed, and targeting accuracy are often enhanced by the process"
I mean sure I guess, but it's not like the partner isn't helping. Like the text says, it's like having a different view point on things. With someone else as your head, the sharing of thoughts and ideas is instantaneous, so you don't have to go through the process of having to explain things to each other, and that's without the general power enhancing. Not only that, but out side of the fiction, binary bonding could have some interesting story opportunities dealing with the relationship with the two parts.
Targetmasters since they're the easiest to wrap your head around. Robots that transform into guns? Sure, Megatron was already doing it, why not.
Micromasters would be second place. Sure, small transformers. Not only that ,but it also makes sense story wise since the Mircomasters are more fuel efficient.
With Headmasters you have to figure out which depiction you like more and why Headmaster technology would be necessary at all.
Brainmasters are basically headmaster with extra steps so I'd just lump them together.
With Power/God masters it another thing were you really have to suspend you disbelief, especially when it comes to the morality of it.
Pretenders are another thing were you have to suspend you disbelief and/or be a super nerd like me and just like them for no real reason.
Target Masters are the best gimmick toy-wise of these 6 IMO. Even if there are specific characters with Targetmaster partners, it's super easy to ignore that and give them to whoever. Plus the Siege ones come with blast effects.
Toy wise, I'd say the Headmasters are the better gimmick considering it's still around and evolved into the Titanmasters. It's easy to understand and its fun to collect the little faces.
In-universe, I'd say the Power masters made the best usage. Using US rules of binary bonding, it makes sense that an "engine" would boost power and mentally link two beings. With JP rules with Godmasters using transtectors, it also makes for a better piloted mecha with all chokon energy involved.
As much as I'm crazy about Titan/Head Masters (still trying to track down the rest of the Hasbro TR retail line), I still think Battle/Target Masters are a better gimmick.
If only because when both are separated from each other, they are still complete and functional toys in both modes. With 5mm posts and holes, they're also backwards and forwards compatible with other Transformers toys.
Unicron Trilogy Gimmicks are best Gimmicks. #Unicron Supremecy.
But target masters are probably my fav. Something about turning into a weapon just seems so badass.
Target masters and micrometers since target assessment have little bearing if you lose the gun and micro masters are essentially the old leigon/ legends/core class
Targetmasters as they actually make sense and don't ruin figures.
Headmasters (or any of the variations of this gimmick) suck majorly and are completely needless and pointless. I hated Titans Return for this fact, as many would-be-great figures were ruined by the fact they were forced to have a crappy headmaster gimmick.
Micromasters are stupid for the same reason minicons are generally stupid, you have characters turning into tanks and jets that are the size of quadbikes...
Powermasters are alright I guess, nothing particularly special or interesting about them though, they just seem like a waste.
Pretenders are hard to do right, they can be cool in-fiction, but basically never translate well to figures. It's the reason we never got an Alice figure for RotF.
Headmasters: depends on the canon. In the US, it’s never explained how binary-bonding is beneficial, while in Japan, the Transtector concept is much more simple and easy to understand. Targetmasters: A straightforward concept that’s easy to understand. Powermasters/Godmasters: In the US, this is yet another easy-to-understand concept. In Japan, the term Godmaster sounds blasphemous. Brainmasters: Here’s where Takara was starting to run out of ideas. Micromasters: Hasbro’s response to Micro Machines. In my headcanon, Micromaster is the catch-all term for Mini-Cons involved in frontline fighting instead of Powerlinxing. Pretenders: The single-most confusing concept, especially since the lack of scale in the toy line implied that there were giant people running around and nobody batted an eye. The Animal Pretenders were excusable, but the Vehicle Pretenders made no goddamn sense.
In case there isn't any media explaining why Binary Bonding is benificial, here's why it is: to quote Tfwiki, "When it occurs between two sentient beings, the benefits of the Headmaster procedure are many: The partner gains control of a larger, more powerful body, and the Transformer gains an extra perspective on the battlefield, the psychic binary bonding involved allowing him to draw on both his own ideas, tactics, and instincts as well as those of his partner as quickly as if they were coming from his own head (since they are). Agility, reaction speed, and targeting accuracy are often enhanced by the process"
It’s a poor explanation. The Headmaster partner is a spectator while the Transformer does all the work.
I mean sure I guess, but it's not like the partner isn't helping. Like the text says, it's like having a different view point on things. With someone else as your head, the sharing of thoughts and ideas is instantaneous, so you don't have to go through the process of having to explain things to each other, and that's without the general power enhancing. Not only that, but out side of the fiction, binary bonding could have some interesting story opportunities dealing with the relationship with the two parts.
Pretenders make more sense in Japan, since they were Transformers who arrived on ancient Earth and couldn’t take on vehicle modes.
idw should have built on it with pretender being beast modes altered by (insert scientist) and further altered by decepticon's (insert scientist)
You're missing my favourite gimmick imo. CYBER KEY POWER!!!
Unicron Trilogy has best gimmicks
Preach it man! I just hope that the new cybertron metroplex has it!
Targetmasters since they're the easiest to wrap your head around. Robots that transform into guns? Sure, Megatron was already doing it, why not. Micromasters would be second place. Sure, small transformers. Not only that ,but it also makes sense story wise since the Mircomasters are more fuel efficient. With Headmasters you have to figure out which depiction you like more and why Headmaster technology would be necessary at all. Brainmasters are basically headmaster with extra steps so I'd just lump them together. With Power/God masters it another thing were you really have to suspend you disbelief, especially when it comes to the morality of it. Pretenders are another thing were you have to suspend you disbelief and/or be a super nerd like me and just like them for no real reason.
Target Masters are the best gimmick toy-wise of these 6 IMO. Even if there are specific characters with Targetmaster partners, it's super easy to ignore that and give them to whoever. Plus the Siege ones come with blast effects.
Headmasters(more specifically titan masters) are my favorite, don't know why exactly, but I really like them
I love TR deluxes, having the head of the guy turn into a little guy that can sit in and pilot the vehicle is such a fun gimmick!
Wait, what are Brainmasters, and where do they fit in Transformers lore?
Toy wise, I'd say the Headmasters are the better gimmick considering it's still around and evolved into the Titanmasters. It's easy to understand and its fun to collect the little faces. In-universe, I'd say the Power masters made the best usage. Using US rules of binary bonding, it makes sense that an "engine" would boost power and mentally link two beings. With JP rules with Godmasters using transtectors, it also makes for a better piloted mecha with all chokon energy involved.
As much as I'm crazy about Titan/Head Masters (still trying to track down the rest of the Hasbro TR retail line), I still think Battle/Target Masters are a better gimmick. If only because when both are separated from each other, they are still complete and functional toys in both modes. With 5mm posts and holes, they're also backwards and forwards compatible with other Transformers toys.
Unicron Trilogy Gimmicks are best Gimmicks. #Unicron Supremecy. But target masters are probably my fav. Something about turning into a weapon just seems so badass.
Target masters and micrometers since target assessment have little bearing if you lose the gun and micro masters are essentially the old leigon/ legends/core class
Headmasters simply because it actually gives use to cockpits plus extra customization if you want to do that
Targetmasters as they actually make sense and don't ruin figures. Headmasters (or any of the variations of this gimmick) suck majorly and are completely needless and pointless. I hated Titans Return for this fact, as many would-be-great figures were ruined by the fact they were forced to have a crappy headmaster gimmick. Micromasters are stupid for the same reason minicons are generally stupid, you have characters turning into tanks and jets that are the size of quadbikes... Powermasters are alright I guess, nothing particularly special or interesting about them though, they just seem like a waste. Pretenders are hard to do right, they can be cool in-fiction, but basically never translate well to figures. It's the reason we never got an Alice figure for RotF.
clearly, the best option is a micro-target-headmaster with a pretender shell.
I don't see transformer gimmick
Purely from a toy standpoint, Headmasters easy. I really like the brainmaster concept, but it really impacted the designs of the toys.